There are jobs & there are Callings

Acts 18:2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

There was great persecution upon the church during these days, and would not end until 325 ad.  Converting to Christianity meant a death sentence, loss of family, even terminated from work.  Supporting oneself was difficult, but then again, it wasn't because the LORD provides for His children.  Bi-vocational pastors have been around since the beginning of the church.  Working to make ends meat, pay bills, so on!  I've known this world all to well.  I've embraced it.  But a pastor must always be evaluating every facet of the ministry.  This has been neglected in many churches.  Church pastors & staff get adept to what yesterdays climate was and become the biggest reason the church is neglected.  Pastors must assess the spiritual health of the church in which he is called.  He must assess the financial health of the church, and so on.  Years ago, we had this issue, as many churches do, a pastor that is overpaid for the fellowship in which he served.  Now, other things unseen are also at play at times, but I find that as a pastor, we must be flexible, adapting to the times, abasing or abounding according to Gods supply.  Now, here is were I really want to understand and apply this to my life.  There are jobs but then there are Callings.  Some are both, but most not so.  Paul made tents!  He then ministered the gospel.    I'm days away from setting my tentmaking job down and making myself available full time as the pastor of Calvary Gulf Coast.  We are in the place where it makes sense now, but the biggest gauge to me was my inability to meet every ministry opportunity this year and I feel I left some service on the table.  As a church grows, the leadership must be ahead of that growth and be in position to serve as Jesus serves.  I will always have my skill set, maybe never cross them old bridges, but I will always evaluate the health of the church.  I will not be the reason for the downfall or neglect of Gods most precious gathering.  Im looking forward to this next chapter the LORD has opened up and hope this season remains until Jesus comes back for us, but my trust is in the LORD either way!  I have learned to abase, have little, and to abound, have lot, in which the LORD brought me through both.  My tent making job is just that, its a job!  My calling, the reason God created me, is to shepherd His precious church, in which Im so very blessed to serve!  God never gives the church to the pastor but the pastor to His church.  The ones He anoints and appoints.  LORD, lets do this, shall we?